David Cameron threatens to QUIT the EU over President row

CAMERON CLASH: It is reported that Cameron has argued with Merkel over the position of President [WENN]

The Prime Minister is said to have issued the warning to German Chancellor Angela Merkel after ex-premier Jean-Claude Juncker was tipped for Europe's top job.

“A figure from the 1980s cannot resolve the problems of the next five years.”

What David Cameron is believed to have said to Ms Merkel

He reportedly told the German head of state that the UK government could be "destabilised" if Mr Juncker was elected president of the Commission. Mr Cameron feared the move would bring forward an in-out vote on the EU which could lead to Britain quitting.

During secret talks, Mr Cameron is believed to have said to Ms Merkel: "A figure from the 1980s cannot resolve the problems of the next five years." His scathing comments were made at the EU leaders' summit in Brussels last week, according to German news magazine Der Spiegel.

Downing Street last night said: "It was a private meeting, a private conversation."